Why is this a blogue?

Why is this a blogue, not a blog?
It’s just an old-fashioned touch that harkens back to less-hurried (and harried) times, when a letter took a while to get delivered, and a reply took a while longer. When books were savored for their precious rarity. When news came in slowly for the most part and could be thoughtfully considered. A rapid-fire flow of constant info-junk tends to make me twitchy. When you visit my blogue, I invite you to take a nice deep breath, absorb things a little at a time, wander in a serendipitous fashion, and generally remember that even in the ultra-speedy world of the Internet, you control the pace of your life.

August 18, 2008

Autumn approaches

As the Wheel of the Year spins, there is nothing that gives me more pleasure than the first signs of autumn. Even with such a mellow and mostly cool summer as we've had so far, there is still something delicious about the first real coolness, the first chilly nights, the first moisture in the air. This morning the glass roof of the solarium is wet with the heavy fog that came in the night. The towering redwood trees swim through the watery veil, and the forest smells refreshed, its thirst perhaps not quenched, but at least a bit relieved. I know this is a Fool's false autumn -- the big heat usually comes in September and early October -- but still. . . My cup of hot tea feels extra cozy, and my thoughts stray happily to fall delights: apple cider, flannel sheets, cinnamon candles, some spooky books I've set aside for rainy nights to come. I'm adding The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to the book pile, as BPAL just announced their new Halloween perfumes, including 12 new scents inspired by that story. Some friends tease me about sticking to certain seasons for certain things -- after all, I could have cider now and read my Edith Wharton ghost stories book any time I want. But anticipation adds its own spice to the brew. I watch the solarium roof start to clear as the summer sun breaks through the mist. Today is perfect, just as it is. AND . . . I'm excited about the approach of autumn.

Comments

Oh Lunaea, thank you for this wonderful post! Your thoughts perfectly echo how I have been feeling lately!

My very favorite season of the year is autumn. Despite the generally cool summer we've experienced here in New Hampshire this year, something ever so slightly stirring inthe air has begun to herald the eminent arrival of the crisp autumn season. Underscoring that indefinable quality in the air whispering a subtle shift toward autumn has begun, our favorite local organic apple orchard re-opened for the season this past weekend.

Yes, doubtless we still have plenty of lovely, luxurious summer days to enjoy but, still, those semi-tart, crisp early apples never lie. Autumn will be here before we know it. Heaven!

I don't do well with the summer heat, and my absolute favorite time of year is that first night when there's that distinctive bit of *snap* in the air.

Here in SoCal it seems like that doesn't usually happen until the week before Samhain, but it also falls right around my birthday (the 24th), so it's always a welcome feeling of relief/rebirth when it does.

Tarot Card of the Week

Moon

When the planet turns its face toward the dark, our nocturnal nature draws us out into the realm of Moon. This is a dominion of dreams that we explore with our senses fully awake. The subconscious spills into consciousness, allowing us to see what is not revealed by sight alone. Strange sounds come to our ears, intoxicating perfumes reach our noses, things appear that only emerge in darkness. We creep softly, following our moonshadows over the colorless world.This card is Moon, from my Mystical Cats Tarot, illustrated by Mickie Mueller. Click the image for a larger version.